Composite Dental FillingsColorado Springs, CO

Fillings are used to restore areas of your tooth affected by decay. Dr. Rogers uses tooth-colored composite materials to "fill in" the surface of the tooth after all decay has been removed. Resin composite fillings are made from tooth-colored plastics mixed with glass-like silver dioxide particles. Because they are tooth colored, they look completely natural. Composite fillings are mercury-free, biocompatible and bond securely to the tooth.

We use only composite resin fillings in our office rather than the older amalgam, silver fillings. Amalgam fillings do not bond to the tooth (as composite fillings do) and can leak around the fillings, causing further decay.

Reasons for Resin Composite Fillings

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Restoring small to medium sized cavities

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Restoring a chipped anterior (front) tooth

Advantages of Resin Composite Fillings

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Because highly experienced dentists such as Dr. Rogers have the skill to blend composite resins to perfectly match the actual tooth’s color, teeth repaired with composite fillings look very natural.

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Composites bond strongly to the remaining tooth structure. This helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.

Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid size restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings are "bonded" or attached with adhesive directly to the tooth surface. This often allows for a more conservative repair than traditional fillings with their inability to bond to the tooth structure.

What Does a Resin Composite Filling Involve?

First, Dr. Rogers will answer any questions you have and will apply anesthetic to the tooth requiring the filling. Then, he will thoroughly remove the decay that is present and prepare the tooth for the composite filling. After the materials are prepared, Dr. Rogers places the composite on the tooth in layers and then uses a special light to harden the material. When the application process is complete, he shapes the composite to perfectly fit the tooth and polishes the area to make it more stain resistant and durable.

If your tooth is sensitive for a week or more it is important to call our office at (719) 357-4425 so we can examine the tooth and determine if additional treatment is needed.